PAP: Ndiomu Seeks Custom Service for Employment of Ex-agitators

PAP: Ndiomu Seeks Custom Service for Employment of Ex-agitators 

Abuja_____ The Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Nigerian Customs Service are seeking for areas of mutual collaboration to reaffirm both agencies' commitment towards the progress of Nigeria.

This formed part of the discussions when the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Major General Barry Ndiomu(rtd) called on the acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the Customs House in Abuja.

Speaking, the acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi noted that there is a strong nexus between both agencies in advancing the progress and prosperity of the nation. 

He said "while the Nigerian Customs Service is saddled with the responsibility of facilitating trade and revenue generation across the country, the Presidential Amnesty Programme is mandated to ensure the sustenance of peace  in the nine states of the Niger Delta  through the effective management of ex-agitators from the region".

The acting Comptroller General explained that since effective trade facilitation cannot take place in an environment of rancour, the Nigerian Customs Service is committed in ensuring that all geo-political political areas in the country are giving fair consideration in its operations without compromising standards.

He said the Nigerian Customs Service will however look into those areas it could provide assistance because the Presidential Amnesty Programme is critical to peace building in Nigeria with the capacity to raise early warning signals for tactical and strategic planning by other agencies operating the region and elsewhere.

"We have been following the activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and I must say we are quite impressed at your efforts in telling the world what you are doing to keep the peace in the Niger Delta " he added.

Earlier, the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Major General Barry Ndiomu intimated that the visit was to enable him to  familiarize himself with the new management and seek for areas of collaboration.

General Ndiomu noted the delicate state of affairs of the Niger Delta which requires issues of neglect and other complaints to be addressed through inter-agency cooperation.

He said "This is my second time of visiting here and we had earlier made requests for people in the Niger Delta to be given some form of consideration in your recruitment exercises and other operations".

"Most ex-agitators have been through school graduating with flying colors and currently unemployed and the Presidential Amnesty Programme is making a special request to assist some of those persons and we hope to find favour in the Nigerian Customs Service this time around", the Interim Administrator added.